Flood Journal 6/17/08, Water Begins To Recede

A week ago we were preparing for flooding and waiting it out. The Iowa River had not crested and was not expected to until today. We were somewhat lucky that the crest came early and at 31.5 feet instead of 33 feet. What came up slowly will take even longer to recede. The damages are going to run over one billion dollars in my area of Coralville and Iowa City and this is just one part of my state. There are similar damages in other Midwestern states. I had my 3 miles walk at the mall yesterday as if nothing unusual was happening around me. Those who haven't been in the flooded areas can't imagine what it is like.

These pictures were taken by a photographer for the Iowa City Press Citizen and show the highway which is just a half of block down the hill from my home.  My Street is in the lower left corner.

 On this photo I am in the very upper right corner.

Then in the afternoon I went on my "flood " walk. Down the hill from me I was happy to see the water was receding. I use an apartment door as my measuring stick. The crescent mark on the door was not visible on Sunday when the peak flooding was reached. On Monday the water had dropped nearly a foot and you could once again see the "marker".

Cars still remain submerged. That is a submerged car at the very left of the picture.

Two blocks east of me I checked my second marker, a blue dumpster. The water was lower on it too.

I also shot this photo at the edge of the flooded area of the water line on two apartment air conditioners. 

The media is still out in full force. I chatted with an ABC news man and also with a man from Rum Jungle. I had never heard of them before but they are a media provider for HDTV. I asked if I hung around for awhile if I could be on TV. He said if I took off my clothes and jumped into the water I might get on. LOL I replied not THAT water.

Further on towards the river, I could tell that the water was also receding though there was still a lot of flooding. The clear blue sky belied the facts that there is a flooded street below it. 

As I walked I saw some of the beauty not spoiled by the waters. It was a reminder of better days to come.

My favorite walking bridge over the Iowa River remained out of the water for the most part.  Only the approaches were submerged.  I look forward to the time when I can once again take a river walk.